Is Your Medication Killing You?

I have seen as many elderly hurt by their medications as benefit. My mother at 94 was told she had high blood [pressure and would likely have a stroke if she didn't take blood pressure medication for life. First, her feet went numb, she was exhausted and she felt she was going to die. And, her blood pressure didn't go down. The doctor wanted to add another medication and increase the dose. She said she'd just as soon die and stopped all of her B.P medication. The doctor tried repeatedly to convince her how dangerous it was to not take blood pressure medication. Se's 95 now and doing great. Sure she may have a stroke and die -at 95 she happy to be alive and doesn

Toni,

Thanks for your comment.  You are right.  It really is something to think of anyone doing anything consistently for 30 years - unheard of in this day and age.  Fortunately, I know this case first hand, so I can vouch for the authenticity.  I didn't take from your comment that you doubted, just clarifying for anyone who might wonder.

Your points are well taken.  I remember a case of polypharmacy through different docs.  Happened in an acute care hospital.  The patient presented as a stroke with hallucinations.  She was actually admitted for something else and had the "stroke" while on the unit.  Turned out to be med induced - a reaction of meds started by different docs who didn't bother to see what she was already on.  In 24 hours she went from dependent in wheelchair mobility and max assist with transfers and ambulation to standby assist ambulation without an assistive device (just a bit wobbly from deconditioning of being bedbound for a few days).  Remarkable and sad.

As I stated in an earlier blog, I run into the exact opposite problem.  My patients don't want to take their meds.  Reading that someone took the same medicine for 30 years sounds impossible to me.  Yet I know it happens.  

When talking about medication compliance we can't forget polypharmacy.  This is particularly common in the elderly population.  It becomes an even bigger problem when more than one doctor is writing prescriptions.

Dean,

Thanks for your comment.  Amazing how many healthcare providers practice with blinders.  I went to a neurologist who didn't even want to discuss my entire leg...just a deck of cards size spot by my ankle.  He didn't even catch it when the MRI came back with findings on the OPPOSITE leg!

Thanks for putting the spotlight on specific things that can impact medication effectiveness.  Maybe that will be an aha moment for a reader and spare them a scary experience, or worse.

What a brilliant example of why at LEAST annual medication reviews are recommended for older adults! Blood pressure medication is one of the primary causes of falls in older adults at our clinic. Why? As the case you described, people can be on them for many years. As such, their bodies change. BP medications are greatly affected by weight loss, change in activity, metabolism changes and other medications being added/subtracted along the way. I'm amazed at the GPs and PCPs who seem shocked that a medication needs addressing after being in place for a long period of time. They don't see the whole patient.

An excellent tale, thanks for sharing it.